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How long do surfers train?

Author

James Craig

Published Jan 10, 2026

A lot of professionals surfers' training regimes consist of 5-7 days of surfing and usually 3 days of working out. If the waves are particularly firing, however, then they will dedicate more time to the water and less time to the gym.

How long does it take to become good at surfing?

If you can spare the time to surf three to four times weekly, you should find you've developed good skills in about two years. What that means is that you'll probably become a good judge of surf and tides, will be able to catch all the waves you aim for, and won't have any problems paddling a long way out.

What kind of training do surfers do?

It requires a wide range of physical qualities in order to paddle out, catch a wave, balance on a surfboard, and lay some big hacking turns and aerial moves. Quality surf training will help you perform better in the water, catch more waves and enjoy a fun surf session.

How long does it take to become advanced surfer?

Skills Development

From Level 8 Advanced Surfer, it takes approximately 270 - 540 hours to acquire Level 9 Advanced Surfer skills. To progress from Intermediate (Level 6 Surfer) to Advanced (Level 9 Surfer), takes approximately 710-1,440 hours in total.

How long do pro surfers hold their breath?

Some of the worlds best big wave surfers can hold it for 5 minutes and your average surfer can hold their breath for anything from 30 seconds – 2 minutes under water. So improving your breath hold isn't just about surviving wipeouts and hold downs, it's about giving you confidence in the water.

24 related questions found

How do surfers survive big wipeouts?

Immediately tuck your chin if possible and protect your head. Try to create as much space between you and the surfboard as you can. Push it away with your feet. If the seafloor allows it, swim low to where the water is calmer.

Why do surfers run under water?

Basically, you're teaching your body to resist the urge to breathe, “allowing for longer and longer holds,” says Campbell. (Over time, athletes work to increase how long they can hold their breath comfortably, ideally working up to a few minutes.)

Is surfing once a week enough?

Surfing once, twice, or three times a week - it doesn't matter. As Duke Kahanamoku once said, "The best surfer out there is the one having the most fun." In order to have that fun, however, staying fit to surf is critical. Improving your surf technique depends on how ready you are to challenge the next wave.

Can you learn surfing at 50?

At our surf and yoga retreats, we teach all different types of students–from varied backgrounds, athletic abilities, ages, and temperaments–how to experience the freedom and joy of riding the waves.

Can you teach yourself to surf?

It's completely possible to learn surfing on your own provided you are a persistent person, you have decent arm and leg strength and balance skills, you are willing to learn the surfing etiquette, and you have able to learn in a safe, beginner-friendly beach spot with small waves and low currents.

How do surfers stay fit?

Swimming laps

It can be pretty boring to follow a black line back and forth, and back and forth, but the best and number one way to stay surfing fit is to swim. Surfing requires a lot of paddling, controlled and sometimes held breathing, and upper body strength.

How do you get a surfer body girl?

Steal it: Add 30-to 45-second high-intensity intervals eight to 12 times throughout a steady-state cardio workout. Legs and Butt Pro move: Keep a low center of gravity to stay up on the board. Steal it: Do as many staggered squats (one foot in front of the other) as you can in 20 seconds, then rest for 10 seconds.

Does surfing make you fit?

As well as building muscle strength in your upper body and legs, the cross-training effect of surfing is a brilliant workout for your core, making it a full body workout. A lot of surf research suggests we use our trapezius, rectus abdominis, latissimus dorsi, obliques, triceps, biceps and deltoids.

What is the best age to start surfing?

You can start surfing as early as 5 years old, but it is often best to start at around the age between 7-9. However, just because you didn't start at that age, does not mean you can't surf! There are certain surfing camps that have taught children as young as five years old.

How much does a pro surfer make a year?

In 2021, the base salaries of the top pro surfers range from $200,000 per year to over $2 million, based solely on surf sponsorships. Most professional surfers earn in the low hundreds of thousands of dollars per year.

Can you learn to surf at 40?

If learning to surf at 30, 40, 50, 60, or well into the age of retirement is your goal, you've come to the right place. Just like there is no age limit for surfing, there is no age limit for learning how to surf. It's never too late to start!

Is surfing the hardest sport to learn?

Surfing is one of the hardest sports to learn because it takes a lot of effort, perseverance, dedication and patience to become a competent surfer. Developing the skills necessary to catch waves, generate speed, carve turns and ride the unbroken face of a wave is very challenging.

Can a 70 year old man learn to surf?

Just like any non-impact sport, there is no age limit for surfing. Boys and girls start surfing as early as 3 years old and famous old surfers like Woody Brown and John H. “Doc” Ball were still paddling into waves well into their late 80s.

How many lessons does it take to surf?

However, the majority of people need around 3 or 4 surfing lessons to get the basics down pat, which includes paddling, popping up to a standing position and riding an already broken wave (the whitewater).

How often should a beginner surf?

Learning to surf requires between two hours and one month of practice. If you're struggling for more than two months to ride a wave, then there's something wrong with you. The first thing you'll need to master is lying and balancing on a surfboard - that could take you between half-an-hour and two or three hours.

Who is the average surfer?

The average surfer is a 34-year-old male who's well-educated and employed full-time, earning around $75,000 a year. A typical surfer comes to the beach in the morning and surfs for 2.5 hours. The first international championship was held in 1953 in Makaha, Hawaii.

How often do pro surfers surf?

Because some pros surf 5-7 times a week, the majority of a professional surfer's training regime is going to revolve around their surfing, and this will also hold true for most of us, even though we don't get the same amount of time in the water.

Are surfers territorial?

Surfing Violence

That's true in some cases, but surfers can also be violent and highly territorial. Violence can happen for a number of reasons, but most fights stem from overcrowded waters. Like most gangs, it's usually about defending territory.

How do you rock run underwater?

TIPS for Underwater Rock Running Solo:

  1. Disclaimer – By Solo I mean holding the rock on your own. ...
  2. Use a rock that you can only just lift out of the water. ...
  3. Place the rock in water 10 – 15 feet deep (3 – 4 meters). ...
  4. Run on a white sandy surface. ...
  5. Do it in a calm water location, without current.